Lambert, it’s fair to say, made a good impression on those he worked with at the Clayton Wood training ground apart, perhaps, from those `weeds’ he famously had to remove from the garden to try and re-build spirit and confidence within a shattered dressing room.

Russell appreciated the size of Lambert’s task more than most, perhaps, after being temporarily promoted from the Academy to help knock the first team into shape while there was still hope of avoiding the drop.

And he says Lambert left no stone unturned as he successfully re-built a backbone strong enough for notable efforts like the 0-0 draw at Liverpool.

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“His work ethic was second to none,” says Russell. “He was the first person into the building each day and the last to leave.

“He’s a good guy, an honest guy, and personally I have a lot of time for him.

“So yes, I hope he gets a good reception... but hopefully doesn’t get the three points!

“He was very liked around the building, with everyone, and I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

Get to it... Paul Lambert is desperate for a first win as Ipswich boss (Image: PA)

Lambert spent six months out of work before returning to East Anglia to manage Ipswich, some six years after leaving nearby Norwich to manage Aston Villa.

His task was an unenviable one after replacing Paul Hurst and he has followed up draws at home to Preston and away at Reading in his first two games in charge with a hat-trick of defeats to West Brom, Bristol City and Nottingham Forest ahead of this weekend’s return to the Potteries.

All of which leaves the Tractor Boys stuck in the mud, some seven points from safety, after recording just one win in their first 20 games ahead of their trip to Stoke City.